Media Releases

Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) has partnered with the City of Toronto’s Every Tree Count program, LEAF and Park People to deliver a project aimed at increasing tree coverage on three TCHC properties. About 100 native trees were planted at 111 Kendleton, 1901 Sheppard Avenue West and Scarlettwood over the past eight days. (read more...)

Students from Kettle Lakes Public School pitched in to help plant and care for trees and shrubs at Grovewood Park in Richmond Hill. Over 60 students cared for 300 trees and shrubs they had planted last year. They also planted new trees at the site. (read more...)

This spring, LEAF and The Regional Municipality of York encourage all residents to love their yards and support pollinators by planting native species of trees, shrubs, and perennials. The Region is working in partnership with LEAF to offer assistance to property owners at an affordable price. (read more...)

With the support of The Regional Municipality of York and the City of Toronto, LEAF is launching a new, subsidized Do-It-Yourself Tree Planting Program that offers personalized advice from an arborist through a virtual consultation. (read more...)

The Town of Newmarket is partnering with non-profit organization LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) and The Regional Municipality of York to offer a pilot program where extra subsidies will be provided to residents who plant a tree in their backyard.
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This spring, LEAF is celebrating 20 years of offering its subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program in Toronto. To mark this special milestone, we have launched a new Commemoration Program that recognizes significant occasions in a unique, eco-friendly fashion.
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The past few weeks of extreme heat coupled with lack of rain is putting urban trees under at risk, say urban forest advocates at LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests). They are calling on residents to help the trees along their streets, in their parks and in their own yards by giving them a much needed drink of water! (read more...)

The Great Toronto Tree Hunt, which launched on Earth Day 2015, culminated last evening with a public awards ceremony. One winner in each of the five nomination categories was announced and awarded a framed copy of their photograph along with a $250 cash prize. (read more...)

It's that time of year again – we're celebrating the 10th annual Leslieville Tree Festival in Leslie Grove Park, showcasing environmentally-friendly businesses, local artists and organizations that are helping to green Toronto-Danforth. (read more...).

Voting is now open for The Great Toronto Tree Hunt – a contest to find and share the greatest trees in our city! Between April 22 and May 31, 2015, entrants submitted their favourite Toronto trees into the contest. (read more...).

For the first time, residents of Mississauga can register for LEAF’s Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Program, to be held later this month at the Bradley Museum (620 Orr Rd, Mississauga). (read more...).

LEAF is hosting a contest with participating Catholic elementary schools across York Region to get new trees and shrubs planted in residential neighbourhoods. Schools are competing to see how many trees and shrubs they can get planted through LEAF’s subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program.(read more...).

Today, LEAF, in partnership with lead sponsor TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF), along with Ontario Power Generation, and City of Toronto, is launching The Great Toronto Tree Hunt – a contest to find the greatest trees in our city! (read more...)

Starting Earth Day, today, residents of the Town of Ajax can get advice and assistance in order to plant trees and shrubs on their property. With support from the Town of Ajax, Durham Region, Toronto Region Conservation and Ontario Power Generation, LEAF will launch the Backyard Tree Planting Program in Ajax.(read more...)

LEAF is launching a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) version of the Backyard Tree Planting Program in the City of Toronto. Ideal for those wanting to plant trees in front or side yards or for those who just want to get their hands dirty and plant their own tree, the program expansion is made possible through funding from Ontario Power Generation. (read more...)

LEAF, the City of Toronto and partners have launched the Maple Leaf Forever Exhibition and Online Auction! Twelve unique designs are being crafted by local designers using wood from the Maple Leaf Forever Tree. A portion of the proceeds from this project will support LEAF's urban forestry initiatives. (read more...)

This past Sunday, 50 people joined LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests), Heritage Toronto, and the Don Watershed Regeneration Council for a tour exploring the natural history of Milne Hollow. (read more...)

LEAF, with the help of approximately 75 PowerStream employees, planted over 300 native trees and shrubs in Vaughan’s Marita Payne Park this morning to celebrate National Tree Day. The ice storm and Emerald Ash Borer have caused the death of countless Vaughan trees in the past year. (read more...)

On Saturday, August 25, 90 food and tree lovers discovered some appetizing delights in parks and along neighbourhood streets on an Edible Tree Tour led by LEAF, Not Far From the Tree and Orchard People. (read more...)

On Sunday, July 27, 75 people joined LEAF and local community group MoreTrees29 to explore the trees of Old East York. MoreTrees29 is working to increase and protect the tree canopy in Toronto’s Ward 29 (Toronto-Danforth). (read more...)

On Thursday, July 24, approximately 50 people joined LEAF for a tree tour exploring urban wood utilization. The tour addressed the question of how we can make better use of wood from trees in the city. (read more...)

On July 6, Residents from the East Danforth community gathered to celebrate the launch of Adopt-A-Park-Tree Programs in Norwood Park and East Lynn Park. Participants learned how to mulch, water, and care for park trees (read more...)

How can residents connect and care for local park trees through out the year? On Tuesday, June 30, residents from around Cedarvale Park gathered to celebrate the launch of Cedarvale’s Adopt-A-Park-Tree Program.(read more...)

What role do birds and bees play in our urban forest? How can our neighbourhoods better support the wildlife that lives in our city? On Tuesday, June 3, over 60 people came out to explore these questions during LEAF’s Birds, Bees and Trees Tour in the Annex neighbourhood... (read more...)

The neighbourhood of Cabbagetown has many stories to tell and its urban forest is no exception. On Sunday afternoon, June 1, 2014, over 50 people joined LEAF and Cabbagetown ReLEAF to explore the tremendous diversity of trees in this community... (read more...)

Instructors of LEAF’s Tree Tenders Volunteer Training program will take residents of York Region through the tree identification component of this interactive course on Saturday June 8 from 1:15 p.m. until 4:00 p.m... (read more...)

Can trees and development co-exist? How can we accommodate new living space alongside a mature tree canopy? What voice can residents have in decisions regarding development and tree preservation? (read more...)

Residents from across the GTA will join LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) and Friends of Trinity Bellwoods Park for the Winter Tree Identification Tour this weekend. Understanding that it can be a challenge to tell many of the common urban tree species apart in the winter... (read more...)

This Saturday, February 1, tree lovers, winter enthusiasts and families will join LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) and York Region Environmental Services for two winter woodland walks as part of the 45 Annual Newmarket Winterfest. Snowshoes will be provided for participants to explore Fairy Lake Park (read more...)

As part of the Toronto Design Offsite Festival (TO DO), an exhibit curated by LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) will showcase four unique pieces by Brothers Dressler, Dystil, The National Design Collective and Paus + Grün. The designers have transformed small branches and leaves from the famous Maple Leaf Forever tree (read more...)

On Saturday, October 26, 2013, tree lovers will join LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) and local experts on a tree tour focused on wood utilization and the magnificent maple tree which inspired the song “The Maple Leaf Forever.” Although this historic tree fell victim to an epic summer storm in July, it will be getting a second life. (read more...)

On Sunday, September 29, 2013, a large group of curious tree lovers will join LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) and expert arborist Philip van Wassenaer as they explore some of the most impressive, rare, and century-old trees around Queen’s Park and Philosopher’s Walk in Toronto. (read more...)

Residents across York Region are invited to join LEAF on a tree tour to explore the trees and stewardship projects in Pomona Mills Park, Markham, on Saturday, September 28, 2013. The tour will focus on the exciting community initiatives in the park and how these projects improve the environment and develop stronger social ties in the neighbourhood. (read more...)

To celebrate National Tree Day, this morning LEAF planted a native tree in the backyard of David Susilo, a Markham resident and participant of LEAF’s Backyard Tree Planting Program. Mr. Susilo and representatives from funding partners, the Regional Municipality of York, the City of Markham and Ontario Power Generation were in attendance. (read more...)

Residents from across Richmond Hill are invited to join LEAF on a tree tour of the Lake Wilcox neighbourhood on Saturday, September 21, 2013. The tour will focus on the natural ecology of the area and how residents can help the lake by using eco-friendly landscaping practices in their own yards...(read more...)

Millions of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in The Regional Municipality of York are at risk of dying due to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). To minimize the impact of EAB on the urban forest, LEAF and York Region have partnered to implement an EAB Ambassador Program. The goal of the program is to empower residents to take action... (read more...)

On Saturday, August 24, 2013, Amanda Gomm of LEAF, Susan Poizner of Orchard People and Becky Thomas of Not Far From The Tree, will lead an Edible Tree Tour, designed to showcase the many edible tree delights found throughout the city. (read more...)

Learn more about the tree canopy along Highland Creek at the Morningside Park Tree Tour. Morningside Park encompasses two Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) and an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) where visitors can see sugar maple, American beech...(read more...)

On Friday July 12, 2013, LEAF’s Andrea Bake will uncover the secrets of this downtown park with Jode Roberts of the David Suzuki Foundation, Monica Gupta of Friends of Christie Pits and Cristina Juarez of Christie Pits Residents’ Association. (read more...)

On Wednesday, July 3, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Ryan Kuz, owner of Karmatree, and Dennis Hale, co-owner of Storyboard Furniture, will explore the art of salvaging wood from urban trees. The Salvaging Urban Wood Tree Tour will begin at the southwest corner of Keele St. and Dundas St. West in Toronto. (read more...)

Ward 30 is celebrating Toronto's urban canopy with the Leslieville Tree Festival. This year's festival will host performances from Zero Gravity Circus, Robert Priest, and Eastview Children's Dancers, among others. This family-friendly festival is an annual tradition in Toronto-Danforth, with something for all ages to enjoy... (read more...)

The Urban Forest Stewardship Network (UFSN) connects grassroots organizations working on issues like Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive insect from Asia that is devastating ash tree populations across the province. EAB was initially discovered in Michigan and southwest Ontario in 2002. Since then it has moved eastward across... (read more...)

As the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) spreads through the 700,000 ash trees in urban areas across York Region, LEAF is playing an important role in the response to this invasive pest. The Backyard Tree Planting Program gives citizens an opportunity to help preserve the canopy by planting a variety of native trees around their homes... (read more...)

An online Living Green Infrastructure Declaration has been created to encourage government and the private sector to plan and build greener, healthier, more beautiful communities. Living green infrastructure advocates, including LEAF, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, Ontario Parks Association and Landscape Ontario... (read more...)

Today LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) launches its spring Cool Communities Residential Shade Tree Planting Program in the Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo area. The program provides rebates of up to $100 per household on native trees and shrubs... (read more...)

Each year approximately 50 million birds pass through the Greater Toronto Area and LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) is helping residents build crucial habitat for them. LEAF’s subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program, which has focused on getting the right tree in the right place since 1996, has expanded further by offering Native Garden Kits for songbirds... (read more...)

Today in celebration of National Tree Day, LEAF and partners undertook a “Depave Paradise” project on the southwest corner of Pacific Ave. and Dundas St. West in Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood. Four large honey locust trees were freed from encroaching paving stones that were causing damage to their trunks... (read more...)

This week’s extreme heat is putting urban trees under stress and at risk due to drought, says urban forest advocates at LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests). They are calling on residents to help the trees that shade their homes and neighbourhoods by giving them a much needed drink of water.... (read more...)

With the gardening season underway, the Urban Forest Stewardship Network (UFSN) is calling on residents in communities across Ontario to help trees in their yards and neighbourhoods. Our trees exist in stressful conditions. Drought, air pollution, salt spray, competition with overhead utilities and root damage during construction are just a few.... (read more...)

Today LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) launched its spring Cool Communities Residential Shade Tree Planting Program in the Guelph/Cambridge area. The program provides rebates of up to $100 per household on native trees and shrubs and is designed to aid homeowners in strategically planting trees and shrubs... (read more...)

A new report released today by the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition identifies green infrastructure as a cost solution policy makers should be considering on the eve of the Ontario Budget and in subsequent political discussions centred on doing more with less... (read more...)

LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) will help celebrate the Year of the Forests by leading a tree tour on Sunday, October 2, at 2:00 p.m. Beginning at the Varley Art Gallery in Unionville, LEAF arborist Erin Silverstein will explore the parks and residential streets in this beautiful downtown area.... (read more...)

Today marked the official opening of the LEAF Learning Garden (LLG), Canada’s first “smartphone friendly” public garden at Toronto’s Artscape Wychwood Barns. The LLG contains nearly 50 native plants found in southern Ontario. Each plant is labeled with a small sign containing common and Latin names, several educational symbols and a QR code... (read more...)

Toronto-based LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) received $5,000 from The Rebuilding Nature Grant Program supported by The Home Depot Canada Foundation and led by Evergreen to complete its urban greening project this spring. The national grant program was created to support environmental stewardship projects that provide... (read more...)

Join LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) as we hostTony Fleischmann, long time arborist and tree enthusiast, who will be revealing the secret sex lives of trees during a lecture on June 7, 2011, from 7:00 to 8:30pm at the Royal Ontario Museum, Level 1B, Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre. (read more...)

Join LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) as we admire some of Toronto's most impressive heritage trees. We'll visit some awe-inspiring specimens near the Royal Ontario Museum, Philosopher's Walk (on the main campus of the University of Toronto) and Queen's Park, and learn about the incredible biodiversity value... (read more...)

Today LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) helped celebrate the completion of a year-long green-home build at 149 Park Home Ave. in Toronto by planting three trees on the property. The planting locations are designed to help keep the home cool in the summer and will provide the finishing touch to a new home designed... (read more...)

Today LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) led a tree planting at the David Suzuki Public School in Markham with members of the school’s Eco Team and Ward Councillor Logan Kanapathi as part of the school’s Earth Week activities. (read more...)

Today, LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) along with five other groups around the province held events to officially launch the newly created Urban Forest Stewardship Network... (read more...)

This week, the United Nations General Assembly is officially launching International Year of Forests - 2011, and LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) is offering residents of Toronto and York Region a way to get the most out of the year... (read more...)

Today LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) led members of the local community in transforming a part of the High Park TTC subway station property into an urban forest demonstration garden.... (read more...)

Today Mike Alkema Certified Arborist at LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests), Dr. Bridget Stutchbury of York University, and Brett Tryon the Coordinator at Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station (TTPBRS) led a “Birds and Trees” tour to talk about the importance of Toronto’s urban forest to migrating birds... (read more...)